THE 


'<  '  ''• 


OF    THE 


EMBARCATION  OF  THE  PILGRIMS 


FROM 


DELFT-HAVEN  IN  HOLLAND; 
PAINTED   BY 

ROBT.  U.  W22IR, 

In  conformity  to  an  Act  of  Congress  for  filling  the  vacant  panels  iu  the 
Botunda  of  the  Capitol 


WASHIJVGTOJV. 


"  With  these  men  came  the  germ  of  our  Republic." 


NEW  YORK : 

Wm.  G.  Boggs,  Printer,  Evening  Post  Buildings,  23  and  26  Pine  Street. 

1843. 


UCSB  LIBRARY 


THE 

PICTURE 


OF    THE 


FROM 

DELFT-HAVEN  IN  HOLLAND; 
FAINTED   BT 

ROBT.  W.  WEIR, 

In  conformity  to  an  Act  of  Congress  for  filling  the  vacant  panels  in  the 
Rotunda  of  the  Capitol 


WASHINGTON. 


u  With  these  men  came  the  germ  of  our  Republic." 


NEW  YORK:    ^ 

• 

Wm.  O.  Boggs,  Printer,  Evening  Post  Buildings,  23  and  25  Pine  Street 

1843. 


m 


In  selecting  this  subject  for  one  of  the  national  pictures,  the  artist  was 
influenced  by  the  high  moral  character  of  the  scene,  and  the  great  events 
which  grew  out  of  the  principles  imparted  by  the  actors  in  it  to  their 
descendants,  and  which  finally  led  to  that  separation  from  the  dominion 
of  the  old  world  which  made  us  an  independent  people.  It  was  also  desir- 
able that  there  should  be  at  least  onepicture  in  our  National  Hall,  whose 
subject  should  commemorate  an  event  connected  with  the  history  of  our 
eastern  states;  since  they  were  the  first  to  grapple  in  that  struggle  for 
liberty,  the  achievement  of  which,  is  our  glory  and  boast. 

In  depicting  a  scene  so  momentous  in  our  early  history,  it  has  been  my 
endeavor  to  preserve  truth;  the  character  of  each  individual  is  drawn  in 
accordance  with  his  acts,  and  the  costume  and  accessaries  are  in  keeping 
with  the  time  and  place;  among  the  latter  is  the  screw,  which  was  after- 
wards transferred  to  the  Mayflower,  and  was  the  probable  means  of  pre- 
serving the  ship* — and  the  fluke  of  the  anchor, — indicating  the  bow  of  the 

• 

vessel,  as  well  as  being  the  emblem  of  hope, — the  bow  of  promise,  and  upon 
the  sail  is  written  "  God  with  ws." 


*  "  But  after  they  had  enjoyed  fair  winds  for  a  season,  they  met  with  many  contrary  winds  and 
fierce  storms,  with  which  their  ship  was  shrewdly  shaken,  and  had  her  upper  works  made  very 
leaky,  and  one  of  the  main  beams  of  her  mid-ships  was  bowed  and  cracked,  which  put  them  to 
some  fear  that  she  would  not  be  able  to  perform  the  voyage  :  on  which  the  principal  of  the  seamen 
and  passengers  had  serious  consultation  what  to  do,  whether  to  return  or  hold  on  ;  But  the  ship 
proving  strong  underwater,  by  a  screw  (which  one  of  the  passengers  had  brought  from  Holland.) 
the  «aid  beam  was  brought  into  his  place  again  ;  which  being  done,  and  well  secured  by  the  Car- 
penter, they  resolved  to  hold  on  their  voyage,"  &c. 


FROM  THE  NEW  ENGLAND  MEMORIAL. 


IN  the  year  1602,  divers  godly  Christians  'of  our  English  na- 
tion, in  the  north  of  England,  being  studious  of  reformation,  and 
therefore  not  only  witnessing  against  human  inventions,  and  ad- 
ditions in  the  worship  of  God  ;  but  minding jnost  the  positive 
and  practical  part  of  divine  institutions,  they  entered  into  cove- 
nant to  walk  with  God,  and  one  with  another,  in  the  enjoyment 
of  the  ordinances  of  God.  But  finding  by  experience  they  could 
not  peaceably  enjoy  their  own  liberty  in  their  native  country,  with- 
out offence  to  others  that  were  differently  minded  ;  they  took  up 
thoughts  of  removing  themselves  and  families  into  the  Nether- 
lands, which  accordingly  they  endeavoured  to  accomplish,  but 
met  with  great  hindrance  ;  yet  after  some  time,  the  good  hand  of 
God  removing  obstructions,  they  obtained  their  desires  ;  arriving 
in  Holland,  they  settled  themselves  in  the  city  of  Leyden,  in  the 
year  1610,  and  there  they  continued  divers  years  in  a  comfortable 
condition,  enjoying  much  sweet  society  and  spiritual  comfort  in 
the  ways  of  God,  living  peaceably  amongst  themselves,  and  being 
courteously  entertained,  and  lovingly  respected  by  the  Dutch, 
amongst  whom  they  were  strangers,  having  for  their  pastor,  Mr. 
John  Robinson,  a  man  of  a  learned,  polished,  and  modest  spirit, 
pious  and  studying  of  the  truth,  largely  accomplished  with  suita- 
ble gifts  and  qualifications  to  be  a  shepherd  over  this  flock  of 
Christ ;  having  also  a  fellow-helper  with  him  in  the  eldership, 
Mr.  William  Brewster,  a  man  of  approved  piety,  gravity,  and  in- 
tegrity, very  eminently  furnished  with  gifts  suitable  to  such  an 
office. 

But  notwithstanding  their  amiable  and  comfortable  carrying 
on,  (as  hath  been  said)  although  the  church  of  Christ  on  earth 
in  Holy  Writ  is  sometimes  called  heaven,  yet  there  is  always  in 
their  most  perfect  state,  here  in  this  lower  world,  very  much 
wanting  as  to  absolute  and  perfect  happiness,  which  is  only  re- 
served for  the  time  and  place  of  the  full  enjoyment  of  celestial 
glory ;  for,  although  this  church  was  at  peace,  and  in  rest  at  this 
time,  yet  they  took  up  thoughts  of  removing  themselves  into 
America  with  common  consent ;  the  proposition  of  removing 
thither  being  set  on  foot,  and  prosecuted  by  the  elders  upon  just 
and  weighty  grounds  ;  for  although  they  did  quietly  and  sweetly 
enjoy  their  church  liberties  under  the  States,  yet  they  foresaw 
that  Holland  would  be  no  place  for  their  church  and  posterity  to 
continue  in  comfortably,  at  least  in  that  measure  that  they  hoped 
to  find  abroad  ;  and  that  for  these  reasons  following,  which  I 
shall  recite  as  received  from  themselves. 


First :  Because  themselves  were  of  a  different  language  from 
the  Dutch  where  they  lived. 

Secondly :  Because  their  countrymen,  who  came  over  to  join 
them,  by  reason  of  the  hardness  of  the  country,  soon  spent  their 
estates,  and  were  then  forced  either  to  return  back  to  England,  or 
to  live  very  meanly. 

Thirdly :  That  many  of  their  children,  through  the  extreme 
necessity  that  was  upon  them,  although  of  the  best  dispositions, 
and  graciously  inclined,  and  willing  to  bear  part  of  their  parents' 
burthens,  were  oftentimes  so  oppressed  with  their  labours,  that 
although  their  spirits  were  free  and  willing,  yet  their  bodies  bowed 
under  the  weight  of  the  same,  and  became  decrepid  in  their  early 
youth,  and  the  vigour  of  nature  consumed  in  the  very  bud.  And 
that  which  was  very  lamentable,  and  of  all  sorrows  most  heavy 
to  be  borne  was,  that  many  by  these  occasions  and  the  great  licen- 
tiousness of  youth  in  that  country,  and  the  manifold  temptations 
of  the  place,  were  drawn  away  by  evil  examples  into  extravagant 
and  dangerous  courses,  getting  the  reins  on  their  necks,  and  de- 
parting from  their  parents. 

Fourthly  :  That  their  posterity  would  in  a  few  generations  be- 
come Dutch. 

Fifthly  and  lastly,  and  which  was  hot  the  least,  a  great  hope 
and  inward  zeal  they  had  of  laying  some  good  foundation,  or  at 
least  to  make  some  way  thereunto  for  the  propagating  and  ad- 
vancement of  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in  those  remote 
parts  of  the  world,  yea,  although  they  should  be  but  as  stepping- 
stones  unto  others  for  the  performance  of  so  great  a  work. 

The  reasons  of  their  removal  abovenamed  being  debated  Srst 
in  private,  and  though  weighty,  were  afterwards  propounded  in 
publick  ;  and  after  solemn  days  of  humiliation  observed  both  in 
publick  and  private,  it  was  agreed,  that  part  of  the  church  should 
go  before  their  brethren  into  America,  to  prepare  for  the  rest; 
and  if  in  case  the  major  part  of  the  church  did  choose  to  go  over 
with  the  first,  then  the  pastor  to  go  along  with  them  ;  but  if  the 
major  part  stayed,  that  he  was  to  stay  with  them. 

All  things  being  got  ready  and  provided,  a  small  ship  was 
bought  and  fitted  out  in  Holland,  of  about  sixty  tons,  called  the 
Speedwell^  as  to  serve  to  transport  some  of  them  over,  so  also  to 
stay  in  the  country,  and  attend  upon  fishing,  and  such  other  af- 
fairs as  might  be  for  the  good  and  benefit  of  the  colony  when 
they  came  thither. 

And  the  time  being  come  that  they  must  depart,  they  were  ac- 
companied with  most  of  their  brethren  out  of  the  city  unto  a  town 
called  'Delft-Haven,  where  the  ship  lay  ready  to  receive  them. 
The  next  day  the  wind  being  fair,  they  went  on  board,  and  their 
friends  with  them,  where  truly  doleful  was  the  sight  of  that  sad 
and  mournful  parting,  to  hear  what  sighs,  and  sobs,  and  prayers 


did  sound  amongst  them ;  what  tears  did  gush  from  every  eye, 
and  pithy  speeches  pierced  each  other's  heart,  that  sundry  of  the 
Dutch  strangers  that  stood  on  the  key  as  spectators,  could  not 
refrain  from  tears :  yet  comfortable  and  sweet  it  was  to  see  such 
lively  and  true  expressions  of  dear  and  unfeigned  love.  But  the 
tide  (which  stays  for  no  man)  calling  them  away,  that  were  thus 
loth  to  depart,  their  reverend  pastor  falling  down  on  his  knees, 
and  they  all  with  him,  with  watery  cheeks  commended  them  with 
most  fervent  prayers  unto  the  Lord  and  his  blessing ;  and  then 
with  mutual  embraces,  and  many  tears,  they  took  their  leave  one 
of  another,  whicli  proved  to  be  the  last  leave  to  many  of  them. 
Thus  hoisting  sail  with  a  prosperous  gale  of  wind,  they  came  in 
a  short  time  to  Southampton,  where  they  found  the  bigger  ship 
come  from  London. 

At  their  parting,  their  pastor,  Mr.  John  Robinson,  wrote  a  let- 
ter to  the  whole  company,  which  is  here  inserted — 

Loving-  Christian  friends  : 

I  do  heartily,  and  in  the  Lord  salute  you,  as  being  those 
with  whom  I  am  present  in  my  best  affections,  and  most  earnest 
longing  after  you,  though  I  be  constrained  for  a  while  to  be 
bodily  absent  from  yon  :  I  say  constrained  ;  God  knowing  how 
willingly  and  much  rather  than  otherwise,  I  would  have  borne 
my  part  with  you  in  this  first  brnnt,  were  I  not  by  strong  neces- 
sity held  bc\ck  for  the  present.  Make  account  of  me  in  the  mean 
time  as  a  man  divided  in  myself,  with  great  pain,  and  as  (natural 
bonds  set  aside)  having  my  better  part  with  you  :  arid  although  I 
doubt  not  but  in  your  godly  wisdoms  you  both  foresee  and  re- 
solve upon  that  which  concerneth  your  present  state  and  condi- 
tion, both  severally  and  jointly  ;  yet  have  I  thought  but  my  duty 
to  add  some  further  spur  of  provocation  to  them  that  run  well 
already,  if  not  because  you  need  it,  yet  because  I  owe  it  in  love 
and  duty.  And  first,  as  we  are  daily  to  renew  our  repentance 
with  our  God,  especially  for  our  sins  known,  and  generally  for 
our  unknown  sins  and  transgressions  ;  so  doth  the  Lord  call  us 
in  a  singular  manner,  upon  occasion  of  such  difficulty  and  dan- 
^  ^  ger  as  lieth  upon  you,  to  both  a  more  narrow  search  and  careful 
reformation  of  your  ways  in  his  sight,  lest  he  calling  to  remem- 
brance our  sins  forgotten  by  us,  or  unrepented  of,  take  advantage 
against  us,  and  in  judgment  leave  us  for  the  same  to  be  swallowed 
up  in  one  danger  or  other :  whereas,  on  the  contrary,  sin  being 
taken  away  by  earnest  repentance,  and  the  pardon  thereof  from 
the  Lord  sealed  up  to  a  man's  conscience  by  his  spirit,  great  shall 
be  his  security  and  peace  in  all  dangers,  sweet  his  comforts  in  all 
distresses,  with  happy  deliverance  from  all  evil,  whether  in  life 
or  death.  Now  next  after  this  heavenly  peace  with  God  and  our 
own  consciences,  we  are  carefully  to  provide  for  peace  with  all 

i 

* 


*% 


*.*•- 


7 

«> 

men,  what  In  us  Heth,  especially  with  our  associates  ;  and  for 
that  watchfulness  must  be  had,  that  \ve  neither  at  all  in  ourselves 
do  give,  no,  nor  easily  take  offence  being  given  by  others.  Wo 
be  to  the  world  for  offences,  for  although  it  be  necessary,  consi- 
dering the  malice  of  Satan  and  man's  corruption,  that  offences 
come,  yet  wo  unto  the  man,  or  woman  either,  by  whom  the  of- 
fence cometh,  saith  Christ,  Matt,  xviii.  7,  and  if  offences  in  the 
unreasonable  use  of  things,  in  themselves  indifferent,  be  more  to 
be  feared  than  death  itself,  as  the  apostle  teacheth,  1  Cor.  ix.  15, 
how  much  more  in  things  simply  evil,  in  which  neither  the 
honour  of  God,  nor  love  of  man  is  thought  worthy  to  be  regarded  ? 
Neither  yet  is  it  sufficient  that  we  keep  ourselves  by  the  grace  of 
God  from  giving  offence,  except  withal  we  be  armed  against  the 
taking  of  them  when  they  are  given  by  others.  For  how  imper- 
fect and  lame  is  the  work  of  grace  in  that  person,  who  wants 
charity  to  cover  a  multitude  of  offences  1  as  the  scripture  sneaks. 
Neither  are  you  to  be  exhorted  to  this  grace,  only  upon  the  com- 
mon grounds  of  Christianity,  which  are,  that  persons  ready  to 
take  offence,  either  want  charity  to  cover  offence,  or  wisdom  duly 
to  weigh  human  frailty;  or  lastly,  are  gross  though  close  hypo- 
crites, as  Christ  our  Lord  teacheth,  Matt.  vii.  1.  2,  3,  as  indeed, 
in  my  own  experience,  few  or  none  have  been  found  which  sooner 
give  offence,  than  such  as  easily  take  it ;  neither  have  they  ever 
proved  sound  and  profitable  members  in  societies,  who  have  nou- 
rished this  touchy  humour.  But  besides  these,  there  are  divers 
motives  provoking  you  above  others  to  great  care  and  conscience 
this  way ;  as  first,  you  are  many  of  you  strangers  as  to  the  per- 
sons, so  to  the  infirmities  one  of  another,  and  so  stand  in  need  of 
more  watchfulness  this  way,  lest  when  such  things  fall  out  iti 
men  and  women  as  you  suspected  not,  you  be  inordinately  af- 
fected with  them,  which  doth  require  at  your  hands  much  wis- 
dom and  charity  for  the  covering  and  preventing  of  incident  of- 
fences that  way.  And  lastly,  your  intended  course  of  civil  com- 
munity will  minister  continual  occasion  of  offence,  and  will  be 
as  fuel  for  that  fire,  except  you  diligently  quench  it  with  brotherly 
forbearance;  and  if  taking  offence  causelessly  or  easily  at  man's 
doings,  be  so  carefully  to  be  avoided ;  how  much  more  heed  is 
to  be  taken  that  we  take  not  offence  at  God  himself?  Which 
yet  we  certainly  do,  so  oft  as  we  do  murmur  at  his  providence 
in  our  crosses,  or  bear  impatiently  such  afflictions  as  wherewith 
he  pleaseth  to  visit  us.  Store  up  therefore  patience  against  the 
ovil  day,  without  which,  we  take  offence  at  the  Lord  himself  in 
his  holy  and  just  works.  A  further  thing  there  is  carefully  to  be 
^provided  for,  viz:  that  with  your  common  employments,  you 
join  common  affections  truly  bent  upon  the  general  good,  avoid- 
ing, as  a  deadly  plague  of  your  both  common  and  special  com- 
forts, all  retiredness  of  mind  for  proper  advantage,  and  all  singu- 


• 


UCSB  LIBRARY 


I  .         -     . 

larly  affected  any  manner  of  way ;  let  every  man  repress  in  him- 
self, and  the  whole  body  in  each  person,  as  so  many  rebels 
against  the  common  good,  all  private  respects  of  men's  selves, 
not  sorting  with  the  general  convenience.  And  as  men  are  care- 
ful not  to  have  a  new  house  shaken  with  any  violence,  before  it 
be  well  settled,  and  the  parts  firmly  knit ;  so  be  you,  I  beseech 
you,  much  more  careful  that  the  house  of  God,  (which  you  are, 
and  are  to  be,)  be  not  shaken  with  unnecessary  novelties,  or  other 
oppositions  at  the  first  settling  thereof. 

Lastly,  whereas  you  are  to  become  a  body  politick,  using 
amongst  yourselves  civil  government,  and  are  not  furnished  with 
special  eminency  above  the  rest,  to  be  chosen  by  you  into  office 
of  government;  let  your  wisdom  and  godliness  appear  not  only 
in  choosing  such  persons  as  do  entirely  love,  and  will  promote  the 
common  good ;  but  also,  in  yielding  unto  them  all  due  honour 
and  obedience  in  their  lawful  administration,  not  beholding  in 
them  the  ordinariness  of  their  persons,  but  God's  ordinance 
for  your  good;  not  being  like  the  foolish  multitude  who 
more  honour  the  gay  coat,  than  either  the  virtuous  mind  of  man, 
or  the  glorious  ordinance  of  God.  But  you  know  better  things, 
and  that  the  image  of  the  Lord's  power  and  authority,  which  the 
magistrate  beareth,  is  honourable,  in  how  mean  persons  soever; 
and  this  duty  you  both  may  the  more  willingly,  and  ought  the 
more  conscionably  to  perform,  because  you  are  (at  least  for  the 
present)  to  have  them  for  your  ordinary  governours,  which  your- 
selves shall  make  choice  of  for  that  work. 

Sundry  other  things  of  importance  I  could  put  you  in  mind  of, 
and  of  those  before  mentioned  in  more  words ;  but  I  will  not  so 
far  wrong  your  godly  minds,  as  to  think  you  heedless  of  these 
things,  there  being  also  divers  amongst  you  well  able  to  admo- 
nish both  themselves  and  others  of  what  concerneth  them.  These 
few  things  therefore,  and  the  same  in  few  words,  I  do  earnestly 
commend  to  your  care  and  conscience,  joining  therewith  my  daily 
incessant  prayers. unto  the  Lord,  that  he  who  hath  made  the  hea- 
vens and  the  earth  and  the  sea,  and  all  rivers  of  waters,  and  whose 
providence  is  over  all  his  works,  especially  over  all  his  dear  chil- 
dren for  good,  would  so  guide  and  guard  you  in  your  ways,  as 
inwardly  by  his  spirit,  so  outwardly  by  the  hand  of  his  power, 
as  that  you,  and  we  also,  for  and  with  you  may  have  after  matter 
of  praising  his  name  all  the  days  of  your  and  our  lives.  Fare 
you  well  in  Him  in  whom  you  trust,  and  in  whom  I  rest. 

An  unfeigned  well  wisher  to  your  happy  success  in  this  hope- 
ful voyage. 

JOHN  ROBINSON. 


